Piers Sellers
Astronaut Born: April 11, 1955; Died: December 23, 2016 PIERS Sellers, who has died of cancer at the age of 61, was a British-born astronaut and climate scientist who flew on three space shuttle missions between 2002 and 2010 and completed six space walks.
The Nasa climate scientist and Edinburgh University graduate, who was originally from Crowborough in Sussex, had always wanted to become an astronaut and gained American citizenship to fulfil his childhood dream.
In all, he logged 35 days in space during his three Nasa shuttle missions and was a leading figure in the agency’s scientific research initiatives.
Born the son of an army officer, Dr Sellers spent much of his childhood moving around according to his father’s postings, and from an early age was interested in space. “When I was a kid,” he said, “I watched the Apollo launches from across the ocean, and I thought Nasa was the holy mountain. As soon as I could, I came over here to see if I could climb that mountain.”
Having spoken to his teachers about his ambition, they advised him to do science after school, which he did, graduating from Edinburgh University with a degree in ecological science in 1976. He then received a doctorate in biometeorology from Leeds University in 1981.
After undertaking research on climate systems, he moved to the US to work at Nasa’s Goddard Space Flight Centre in Maryland, where he would become deputy director of sciences and exploration.
In his 14 years at the centre, Dr Sellers was involved in building computer models of the world’s climate systems as well as conducting field experiments in Africa and South America.
He joined the astronaut corps in 1996 and completed his first mission on the space shuttle Atlantis in 2002, becoming the second British-born astronaut to walk in space, after Colin Foale in 1999.
In January, Sellers wrote an emotional article for the New York Times about his cancer diagnosis; he also featured in Leonardo DiCaprio’s climate change documentary, Before the Flood, earlier this year.
Dr Sellers wrote: “As an astronaut, I space walked 220 miles above the Earth. Floating alongside the International Space Station, I watched hurricanes cartwheel across oceans, the Amazon snake its way to the sea through a brilliant green carpet of forest, and gigantic nighttime thunderstorms flash and flare for hundreds of miles along the equator.
“From this God’s-eye-view, I saw how fragile and infinitely precious the Earth is. I’m hopeful for its future.”
Nasa administrator Charles Bolden led the tributes to Dr Sellers after his death, calling him a tremendous public servant who was dedicated to Nasa, the nation and the world.
Mr Bolden added: “He was a strident defender and eloquent spokesperson for our home planet, Earth.
“Space walker and scientist, free thinker and friend to our planet, and all who seek new knowledge, to say he will be missed would be a gross understatement. His legacy will be one not only of urgency that the climate is warming, but also of hope that we can yet improve humanity’s stewardship of this planet.”
In July, Dr Sellers was awarded Nasa’s Distinguished Service Medal, the agency’s highest honour. He was also appointed an OBE in the New Year’s Honours List in 2011.
University of Leeds vice-chancellor Sir Alan Langlands said: “Staff and students of the University of Leeds are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Dr Sellers following his brave fight with cancer.
“He cared deeply about our fragile planet and the people who inhabit it – his outstanding work and our fond memories of him will continue to inspire future generations.”
Dr Sellers is survived by two children from his marriage to Amanda Lomas, which ended in divorce, and a grandson.